Valve



Oct. 18, 1949. v G. w. FRANZHEIM VALVE Filed July 5,. 1947 6. Fwarzzizez'm INVENTOH ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 18, 1949 U NITED STATES "PAT- ENT OFFIICIE VALVE 'GeorgeIW; .Franzheim, Dunkirk, 'N. '1.

Application J uly 3, 1947-; Serial'No; 758,958

I 4 Claims.

This invention relates to valves, and more particularly, has reference to an improved automatic cut-off valve particularly designed for mounting in association with a gas line, in position automatically to out off the supply of gas under predetermined conditions.

Reference is had in this connection to my Patent No. 1,727,503, covering such: a valve, the application in the present instance referring to .a novel and improved construction thereof.

In the art, valves are known that are adapted to remain normally open when gas is flowin under proper pressure, said valves closing under a decrease in pressure, where the pressure falls below a predetermined amount, the-valve thus serving to out off the supply of gascompletely until the undesirable condition described. cancbe remedied. Such an operation is described "in my patent.

However, the primary objector thGTDIESEllt in- 'vention is not only to achieve theresult stated above, whereby the valve willautomatically'close upon a lowering of the flow of gas :below a'pre" determined pressure, but also to cause thevalve to be automatically operated to close the :gas supply in the event of such instances as "a fire occurring in the basement in which the :valve unit is mounted, a flood in the basement, explosion, or similar serious :accidents.

Additionally, it is an important'o'bject of the invention to provide a valve of the type described that is also readily operable by hand,for the purpose of cutting off thegas supply, from some exterior point, as for example, fromuazpull box located at another point eitherwithin or-without the building in which the unit istmounted. This is particularly desirable in the event of fire,'permitting the firemen to close the gas supply, for example, from a point outside the-building in which the fire is located.

Additionally, I provide in my improved device means for actuating an alarm, such as a signal bell, light, or the like, upon the closing of the valve for any reason.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out -in the claims, it being understood that changes-may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit. of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing, the single figure illustrated is a view, partly 'in side televationiand 2 partly in verticalxsection, of the improved device. Referringto the drawing in;detail; '5; designates generally a valve casing of substantially zhollow formation, through which gaswis normally per- :mitted to'pass. At one end, this is provided with an annular: flange "6, "in engagement with flange l ona coupling 8' for an outlet pipe (not shown),

-, bO1tvS'i9lOI similar .fasteningmeans being used to connect the coupling tothe casing. The coupling 8, as will be known, may be threaded fora-ready wconnectionto. the outlet lpipe.

in the art is preferably-provided on the valve H, and the valve seats, when in position to olosethe inlet 10, in valve seat [-5.

' Normally, whengas is flowing through the inlet 10 into the casing 5 under a normal predetermined pressure, the valve III is swung rear- -wardly to the 1 position shown in the drawin the valve being so :designed' as to normally hang in an open position.

i Extended transversely through the casing 5, and suitably journaled in thewall thereof, is a pin 16, to whichisattachedexteriorly of the casing -5 a lever 11. Lever l1 is'provided-withlthe weight 18, which maybe mounted adjustably on thelever ll 'at -a desired point. Thus, on rotation of the 5 is ahook IS, which "is also a cam 20.

"pin I6, the lever I! will swing man are.

Attached to the pin 16 'interiorly of the casing When the hook is-swun toward the inlet l0, the'cam portion thereof engages the rear of the 'valve'l l, and at the same time, the lever l1 having the weight I 8, is swung in its arc, the lever and weight providing the necessary force whereby the hook l9-is swung rearwardly, causing the valve II to seat in-position to close theinlet'lll, in which position-ibis retained under pressure of 'the'cam 20, until such time as the lever 11 is raised by hand.

Normally; the'hoolc' l9, as shown in the drawing, is engaged and retained in the position shown 'by a latch lever 2| within-the casing 5, which is pivoted atrone end on pin'ZZ, that can be'journaled in ears '23 of the casing. The latch-lever 2l is also :"pivOtal-ly connected, intermediate its -ends,'.a't=124'to'oneendof a' stem 25, that projects throughfthe opening 26- communicating. between the valvezcasing :and a diaphragm casing; to 'be describedhereinafter.

The end of the stem 25 that projects into the diaphragm casing is provided with a disc 27, to which is connectable disc 28, as by bolt 29 or the like. Between the discs 21 and 28 is retained the center portion of a diaphragm 30.

The diaphragm casing in which the diaphragm 30 is mounted comprises a lower portion 31 and an upper portion 32 connectable to each other by bolts 33 or similar fastening means, said fastening means serving additionally to mount the diaphragm 30 within the diaphragm casing.

Under normal conditions, gas flowing through the casing will also move through the opening 26, which, as may be readily observed from the drawing, is of greater diameter than the diameter of the stem 25, so as to permit an unimpeded flow of as from the casing 5 to the diaphragm casing. When the gas is flowing under a proper predetermined pressure, it serves to press upwardly against the bottom of the diaphragm 3B, and 2 thus holds the stem in normally raised position, whereby latch lever 2| will retain hook 19 out of engagement with the valve H. However, when the gas pressure drops below the predetermined point, the relaxing or pressure against the diaphragm immediately causes the stem 25 to lower, releasing hook I 9, whereupon lever I I having weight It will swing rearwardly, causing the cam 20 to force the valve into position to close the inlet ID.

The construction of the device described above is substantially as shown in my patent, and basically comprises the valve unit described in the patent, wherein the valve will close under a lowering of pressure of gas flowing therethrough.

In the present invention, however, I also provide a tubular extension 34 projecting from the upper portion 32 of the diaphragm casing. In the wall thereof, I form opening 35 that serves as an inlet opening for water. around the unit, as in the case of a flooded basement or the like, will enter the inlet opening 35, and will proceed through opening 36 communicating between the interior of the tubular extension, and the interior of the diaphragm casing. Thus, it is seen that the admission of a quantity of water through the opening 36, will bring pressure against the upper surface of the diaphragm 30, and upon the accumulation of a sufficient amount of water bearing against the diaphragm,

the diaphragm will be lowered, closing the valve, even though the gas is flowing through the unit under proper and normal pressure. A desirable safety feature is thus obtained. The opening 35 also constitutes an air vent, since the upper portion of the diaphragm casing should be properly vented at all times during normal use of the valve.

The opening 36 is of greater diameter than the diameter Of a rod 3'! projected therethrough. One end of this rod appears against the disc 28. Interiorly of the tubular extension 34, the rod 31 is preferably provided with a lug 38 constituting an abutment for one end of a coil spring 39 that normally is held under restraint.

The outer end of the tubular extension 34 is formed with a threaded opening 40, which is closed by plug 4|. Plug 4! constitutes the abutment for the other end of the spring 39. The rod 31, as will be seen, projects through the plug 4|, and it is slidable therein. The rod 31, on its projecting end, is provided with a head 42, and interposed between the head 42 and the outer surface of plug 41 is a spacer 43 that is formed of a fusible material, such as will melt when the surrounding temperature reaches a prescribed num- Thus, water rising 1';

'4 her of degrees, such as, for example, approximately 400 F.

By reason of this construction, should there be a fire in the vicinity of the unit, the spacer 43 will melt as stated, whereupon the spring 39, being no longer held under normal compression, will expand, the lower end thereof forcing the end of rod 31 positioned against disc 28 inwardly, thereby lowering the diaphragm 30 a suflicient amount to release hook [9.

A water-soluble spacer 43' is also mounted on rod 31. This supplements vent 35 in closing the valve in case of flood.

Addition-ally, means are provided for efiecting a closing of the valve from some remote point, as for instance, from a pull box positioned exteriorly of the building. This is desirable in the case, for example, of a fire within the building, it being desirable that the gas supply be cut off quickly and easily. A housing 44 is formed on the upper portion 32 of the diaphragm casing, in which is pivotally mounted, as on an ear or ears 45, a lever 46, which is so mounted intermediate its ends. At one end, lever 46 is pivotally connected to a rod 41, projecting through a communicating opening between the housing 44 and diaphragm casing, so as to bear against the disc 28. Spring 48 is interposed between the lever 46 and said opening, and the rod 41 passes throu h said spring.

The other end of the lever 46 is connected to one end of a flexible cable 49, extended through tube 50, tube 50 being connected to the housing 44 at 5|, tightly, in any suitable manner.

The other end of the cable 49, and of tube 50, is disposed in a pull box (not shown) which is disposed at a remote point. It is believed suihciently obvious as not to require illustration that a stop member would be mounted on the cable 49 which member can also constitute a hand grip for the cable, the stop member cooperating with the spring 48 to retain lever 46 and rod 41 substantially in the positions shown. As will be seen, should a pull be exerted upon the cable 49, this will force the inner end of the rod 41 downwardly, so as to lower the diaphragm 30.

On the lever IT, at any suitable point, as for example, on the weight -l8, is disposed a clip '52, retaining a mercoid switch 53. Leads 54 extend from the mercoid switch to a suitable alarm device (not shown), as for instance a bell or light. When the lever I! is in its normal raised position, the switch 53 is positioned so as to keep the alarm circuit open. However, should the lever l1 swing downwardly to close the valve II, the change of position of the mercoid switch 53 will cause the circuit to 'be closed, actuating the alarm.

From the above, it will be observed that in a single, simple, self-contained unit, means are provided for shutting off a supply of gas immediately, and concurrently actuating an alarm device, in the event of an lowering of the flow of gas below a predetermined amount, flooding, or fire, any of these occurrences bringing about an automatic working of the valve and alarm. Additionally, it is seen that means are also embodied in the single, simply arranged unit described for closing the valve by hand from a remote point whenever necessary or desired.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a casing having a gas inlet and outlet, a valve swingable into position to close one of these, a diaphragm casing, a diaphragm mounted therein responsive to changes in gas pressure, and means actuated by the diaphragm to close the valve, of a tubular extension on the diaphragm casing, there being an opening-communicating therebetween, a rod slidable in the tubular extension and projecting through the opening, said rod bearing at one end against the diaphragm, a normally restrained spring on the rod, a fusible spacer on the other end of the rod, whereby fusing of the spacer will permit the spring to expand, and a water-soluble spacer on the rod, said tubular extension'having a vent opening.

2. In a valve unit actuated by a diaphragm mounted in a diaphragm casing, a tubular extension on the diaphragm casing having a vent in its side wall, there being an opening communicating between the tubular extension and diaphragm casing, spring-restrained means in the tubular extension projecting from the opening, and disposed in position to exert pressure to flex the diaphragm, a water-soluble spacer on the extension and on said means, and a fusible spacer on the extension and on said means, said spacers being positioned to normally restrain said means from pressing engagement against the diaphragm.

3. In a safety device for automatic cut-off valves having a diaphragm mounted in a diaphragm casing, a rod mounted in the diaphragm casing in position to engage the diaphragm at one end, a fusible spacer interposed between the other end of the rod and the diaphragm casing, a soluble spacer carried by the rod adjacent the fusible spacer, and yielding means tending to urge the rod pressingly against the diaphragm on melting of either spacer.

4. The combination with a valve casing having a gas inlet and outlet, a valve swingable into position to close one of these, a diaphragm casing in communication with the valve casing, a diaphragm in the diaphragm casing responsive to changes in pressure, and means actuated by the diaphragm to close the valve, of a rod mounted in the diaphragm casing in position to engage the diaphragm, meltable spacers on the rod positioned to retain the rod in normal position, yielding means tending to urge the rod pressingly against the diaphragm on melting of' either spacer, mercoid switch means mounted on the diaphragm actuated valve closing means in circuit with an alarm device, and hand-controlled flexible means for manually closing the valve, comprising a flexible cable, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends to the diaphragm casing, the cable being connected to one end of the lever, and a normally spring-restrained rod pivotally connected to the other end of the lever, and extended into the diaphragm casing in position to exert pressure against the diaphragm.

GEORGE W. FRANZHEIM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 688,863 Kemp Dec. 1'7, 1901 996,110 Miller June 27, 1911 1,248,143 Lovekin Nov. 27, 1917 

